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Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge is the 1965 World War II film, depicting a highly fictionalized version of the final German offensive against the Western allies in World War II, the famed Battle of the Bulge, December to January 1944. As was customary for World War II films of the time, this film features an all-star cast including Henry Fonda, Telly Savalas, Charles Bronson, and Robert Shaw.
The production was filmed in Spain, which provided a large amount of armor and weaponry (sometimes anachronistic). Despite the several impressive tank battle sequences, the film has an end title that states many of the events and characters in the film were heavily "synthesized" to capture the "essence" of the battle. Most notably, the weather and terrain depicted in the film has almost no resemblance to the real conditions of the battle. Other than a few early scenes, there is none of the heavy snow and cold temperatures the real Battle of the Bulge was infamous for.
The following weapons were used in the film Battle of the Bulge:
Rifles and Carbines
M1 Garand
The M1 Garand is carried by numerous US soldiers throughout the film.
M1C Garand
An M1C Garand fitted with a scope is in the hands of Sgt. Duquesne (George Montgomery).
M1 Carbine
The M1 Carbine is seen briefly held by a German infiltrator disguised as a US soldier. M1 Carbines are also carried by US troops as well. The majority of these carbines are of the anachronistic Korean War era variety, with post-war bayonet lugs and adjustable sights.
Sturmgewehr 44
A Sturmgewehr 44 is seen in the hands of Lt. Weaver (James MacArthur), taken from a captured German soldier, and later examined by Lt. Col. Kiley (Henry Fonda) and Col. Pritchard (Dana Andrews).
M43 Spanish Mauser
German infantry and also some U.S. soldiers are seen armed with M43 Spanish Mausers throughout the film, standing in for the Kar98k.
Submachine Guns
M3 "Grease Gun"
The M3 "Grease Gun" is the most common submachine gun carried by US troops in the film and is seen in the hands of Sgt. Duquesne (George Montgomery), Wolenski (Charles Bronson), and Lt. Col. Dan Kiley (Henry Fonda).
Sten Mk II
A Sten Mk II can briefly be seen being carried by an American soldier.
MAT-49
What appear to be anachronistic MAT-49 submachine guns are carried by US troops guarding artillery in the rail yard.
MP 40
The MP 40 is used by German forces as well as by Lt. Weaver (James MacArthur).
Machine Guns
Browning M2HB
The Browning M2HB is seen mounted atop American M24 Chafee tanks and American half-tracks. These half-tracks are also depicted as German vehicles.
Browning M1919A4
The Browning M1919A4 is seen mounted on the American M24 Chaffee tanks and is fired handheld by Sgt. Guffy (Telly Savalas). US troops fighting against German armor also use M1919A4s.
MG 42
An MG 42 is used by German troops at the Malmedy Massacre.
Handguns
M1911A1
What appear to be M1911A1s are seen in the holsters of US officers and used by Lt. Weaver (James MacArthur). It is also possible that some of these are really Star Model B pistols, as the M1911 had troubles firing .45 ACP blanks in vintage films, and the movie was filmed in Spain, so it would be available.
Walther P38
A Walther P38 is seen carried by German tankers including Colonel Hessler (Robert Shaw).
Other
Instalaza M65 Rocket Launcher
Wolenski (Charles Bronson) uses an Instalaza M65 Rocket Launcher with a blast shield to damage a German Tiger tank. These upgraded bazookas were provided by the Spanish Army, which supported several war films and television series made in Spain in the late 1960s. It is standing in for more period-accurate American launchers like the M1A1 "Bazooka".
M7A3 rifle grenade launcher
The M7A3 Rifle Grenade Launcher is seen fitted to several M1 Garand rifles.
Mk 2 Hand Grenade
Mk 2 Hand Grenades are carried by US troops. Kiley tosses one into the turret of a German tank.
Trivia
M47 Patton
The tanks used in the film to represent the German Tigers are in reality anachronistic US made M47 Pattons.
M24 Chaffee
The M24 Chaffee is the tank widely seen in the film as the primary tank of American forces. While the M24 was introduced into the war at around this time, the more prevalent tank used by the US during this battle was the M4 Sherman.